tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813024036059857513.post8840458357201857433..comments2023-06-11T09:05:21.760-05:00Comments on Canaries in a Coal Mine: Begin those PurchasesAbelistohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068144253232677457noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813024036059857513.post-61866686667669443222007-08-10T12:06:00.000-05:002007-08-10T12:06:00.000-05:00Thanks so much for your advice. You point out some...Thanks so much for your advice. You point out some issues that I hadn't thought about. I am committed to an organic, sustainable approach and I think disturbing the bees as little as possible is a big part of that philosophy. Also, heavy lifting is a great concern of mine. My doctor has told me I am restricted in that area the rest of my life. Thanks for the email address.Abelistohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01068144253232677457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813024036059857513.post-27038490183307598112007-08-10T11:19:00.000-05:002007-08-10T11:19:00.000-05:00I started with the TBH and so far so good...althou...I started with the TBH and so far so good...although...I relied HEAVILY on my online group (mainly the organic beekeeping listserv on yahoo) for advice, since there aren't really good books out there on TBH management techniques. Phil Chandler's book is a good introduction and there are a few good websites as I'm sure you're aware, but many how-to details are not mentioned in these resources. Now, I might have found the same thing with Langs and the books available, since I was trying organic methods and of course that is NOT how the "regular" contemporary beekeeping books approach the issues. With a Lang, you can probably rely on help from your local beekeepers; not so with TBH. That being said:<BR/><BR/>I love the TBH approach and feel like I am slowly getting the hang of it. I don't use smoke and often work without gloves and suit, since less of the hive has to be disrupted/exposed during inspections. Sometimes I can work without a veil, but I'm still happier and calmer in the veil, because things can shift pretty fast and suddenly. <BR/><BR/>Because I didn't want to do heavy lifting, these hives has worked well for me. Any harvesting is one bar at a time!<BR/><BR/>I think whatever method YOU feel most comfortable with or enthused about makes sense. I did a lot of reading before I bought and decided to go for TBH, even though many online sites advised starting off with a lang. If I had carpentry skills, or knew someone who did, I could have made TBHs very cheaply and then my choice would have been an infinitely cheaper alternative to langs and the attendance equipment. As it was, I paid for nicely built (but perhaps a bit small) TBHs from Backyard Hive. Their customer service was great and they provided a lot of info and support along the way. The observation windows have been invaluable!<BR/><BR/>That's my take. Hope it's helpful! If you have any questions or want to discuss this further, feel free to email me at zychskyfarm@earthlink.netGerry Gomez Pearlberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07983170311255392530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813024036059857513.post-49171005695378556242007-08-09T17:13:00.000-05:002007-08-09T17:13:00.000-05:00Yes, I have considered top bar hives and will even...Yes, I have considered top bar hives and will eventually do this. As a beginner, I assumed it would be easier to learn with Langs. What is your opinion?Abelistohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01068144253232677457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6813024036059857513.post-63805591701793578582007-08-09T12:30:00.000-05:002007-08-09T12:30:00.000-05:00Have you considered top bar hives? Just curious ab...Have you considered top bar hives? Just curious about what went into your decision to go with Langs.Gerry Gomez Pearlberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07983170311255392530noreply@blogger.com